With nine players from last year’s U-15/U-16 title team, the Red Bulls academy had the experience of playing in pressure packed situations as well as playing on such short rest. In both team’s fourth game in seven days, Red Bulls substitute Jhon Estama scored the match-winner in the 115th minute of the match, after teammate Ethan Decker cancelled out Shattuck-Saint Mary’s forward Lesley Nchanji’s 10th minute goal.

The Red Bulls side featured homegrown signing Santiago Castaño in goal and U.S. U-17 starlet Christopher Lema.

Real Salt Lake’s Academy win came via the head of Justen Glad in the 75th minute, scoring the go-ahead goal before his team added a fourth to finish off the game. RSL’s Brooks Lennon was named man of the match, finishing with one goal and a helper. Teammate Sebastian Saucedo finished with a goal and an assist as well. U.S. U-17 player Alan Winn and Bryson Asher scored the goals for Solar Chelsea.

What do you think of these results? Impressed with the success of MLS academies?

Seems like they are. They always had one of the top systems before the Backe era which devalued that aspect. Look at Altidore and Agudelo. But the MLS rules never really promoted player development so maybe the rule changes in the last few years will start to bear fruit in NJ. They are ideally located and have the cash to spend. They could be monsters in player D in the next decade if they prioritize it.

The Red Bulls gave him professional minutes at the age of 16 so I think they played their fair part in developing him. It’s not like he was a finished product when he was drafted; hell, he still isn’t.